Writing Checklist

I have decided to put together a story writing check list. This checklist will be a reminder of the things I need to check for when I initially write my story and when I do revisions.

I have tried to put this check list in some kind of chronological order.

1. Captivating first sentence – The very first sentence needs to smack that reader right between the eyes. See here, 100 best first lines.
2. First thousand words – From what I have read, the first line of defense at publishers make their decision based on the first 4 pages. So these pages need to be first class. I’m not saying that only the 4 first pages need to be first class. But if those pages don’t do it…
3. Add a good hook at the end of chapter 3 – Publishers will usually ask for the first 3 chapters and a synopsis.  This was taken from Diana Groe’s own blog entry.
4. Add tension – Human lives are speckled with tension. If there’s no tension in your life, then your life must be boring as hell. Your story should also have tension.
5. Scene = purpose – Each scene must have a purpose, it must end with some kind of achievement.
6. Tenses – Make your that your tenses are consistent and that you don’t drift between them.
7. Identify Your Characters – Make sure that your readers know who your characters are.
8. Significance – Every single character, place or specified object must have a purpose in the story.

Below is my story structure that I am developing as I learn to write.  Right now I am sticking to the 3 act structure.  but I’ve read that there are other structures out there that one can follow.  I have not discovered those.  There is the snowflake method which is supposed to be a competitor to the 3 act structure, but I think it’s just a method not a structure.

1. Act I
   1. Introduce characters – Start introducing characters from the very first paragraph.  Introduce one character per scene so not to overwhelm the reader.
   2. Set off the story – What event causes the story to actually exist.
2. Act II
3. Act III